The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of nearly 4 billion USD in federal support for 14 transit construction projects across the US.
The recommended projects were announced by US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to be included in President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request to Congress.
Spanning across 11 states, these rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) projects aim to deliver transformative change for new and existing transit riders.
This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which is investing nearly 100 billion USD from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support transit agencies.
“Public transportation connects people to jobs, school, family, and more – and when transit reaches more people and communities, its impact is even greater. The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to support funding for 14 large projects that will expand transit for millions of Americans across the country.”
Specifically, in Illinois, 350 million USD is recommended for the Chicago Red Line Extension Project. This 5.6-mile extension includes the purchase of rail cars, stations, parking facilities and a new railyard and maintenance shop.
In New York, 496.8 million USD is recommended for the New York City Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
What’s more, in New Jersey/New York, 700 million USD is recommended for the proposed Hudson Tunnel Project to improve reliability for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains.
In California, 200 million USD is recommended for the Inglewood Transit Connector Joint Powers Authority’s Inglewood Transit Connector Project. This project will provide an automated, elevated rail service to multiple large event venues.
Also in California, 500 million USD is recommended for the Transbay Downtown Extension Project, which will extend Caltrain commuter rail services from the China Basin/South Park neighbourhood to the Salesforce Transit Center in central San Francisco.
Meanwhile, 315.7 million USD is recommended for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 Rail Project in Los Angeles.
In Florida, 263.7 million USD is recommended for the Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project, which will provide a commuter rail service between Downtown Miami and the city of Aventura. This 13.5-mile project includes stations, park-and-ride facilities, the purchase of vehicles and improvements to a rail yard and rail vehicle maintenance storage facility.
In Minnesota, 129.5 million USD is recommended for the Minneapolis Southwest Light Rail Transit Project. This project adds 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line and connects downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.
In addition, in Washington, 88.4 million USD is recommended for the Seattle Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension Project. This project will extend the light rail system from Northgate Station in King County to the Lynnwood City Center Station in Snohomish County.
The full list of 14 transit projects can be found in the Budget Request to Congress.
“FTA looks forward to working with these communities to advance transit projects that will provide new transit options. These investments support President Biden’s commitment to combat climate change while also improving safety, advancing equity, and improving quality of life for millions of Americans.”
